The Book Thief.

The Book Thief is a beautiful but haunting story about a young girl living in Nazi Germany. I first read it several years ago and have re-read it several times, but it never fails to affect me and cause me to sit back and really think. It is one of the few stories that I can read again and again, as well as one that my entire family has read, and I really think that goes to credit the author, Markus Zusak, for creating such an engaging world and believable characters.

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The novel, narrated by Death, tells the story of Liesel, a girl living with foster parents, as she discovers a love of books and words in the middle of World War II. Her foster father, Hans, bonded with her as he taught her to read, and as soon as she discovered her love for reading, she began stealing as many books as she could. She read them to herself, her neighbors during air raids, and the Jewish man her foster family hid in their basement. Throughout the many adventures and trials Liesel faced, books were always there for her.

What really struck me about the story is what a powerful effect books and words can have on someone--regardless of whether it's a girl like me in the present day or a girl who lived 70 years ago in Germany. Books helped Liesel adjust to her new life, calmed her neighbors during the air raids, and helped her form bonds with new friends. I think that is one of the things the story of The Book Thief really highlights: the power that words can have, and how they are impossible to suppress.

The Book Thief is not only a remarkable and entertaining story, but a thought-provoking and educational account of how a normal girl might have lived during World War II. I'll always admire Liesel and her foster family for bravely hiding a Jewish man and risking their lives to protect a friend. Liesel's story is one I'll never forget, as it is a beautiful and real tale about the power of books and the strength of friendship.

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Mackenzie A. Simper 

Age: 13, 8th grade

Salt Lake City, UT

Every year, Moment asks kids ages 9 to 13 to write reviews of their favorite books. Find out how to enter Moment's 2013 Publish-a-Kid contest at momentmag.com.